The 2025 DN World Championship: A Battle of Legends on Ice

by | Jan 30, 2025 | 2025, 2025 DN GOLD CUP & NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP, Home Page

2024 DN World Championship on the Baltic Sea in Parnu, Estonia. Photo: Gilles Morelle

Since 1973, the DN World Championship has alternated between Europe and North America, bringing together the fastest ice sailors in the world. This year, the championship returns to North America, hosted by the Central Region under the direction of Central Region Commodore Peter Johanson of Michigan.

The location has been confirmed: the 2025 DN World Championship will be held on Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Racing begins Sunday, February 2nd, and runs through Saturday, February 8th.

The Biggest Ice Sailing Regatta of the Season

With over 100 competitors registered, the 2025 DN World Championship is officially the largest ice sailing regatta of the season—unsurprising, given that the DN is the most popular iceboat in the world. This year’s fleet is stacked with talent from across the globe, including sailors from Canada, Sweden, Germany, and Estonia, alongside the powerhouse fleets from the U.S. and Poland.

The Great Eight: A Combined 29 World Titles

UPDATE: The competition at the 2025 DN World Championship just got even tougher—Jeff Kent (USA), a former DN World Champion, has officially registered, bringing the total number of past champions in the fleet to eight.

Kent, a well-respected veteran of the sport, adds even more depth to an already stacked lineup.

Adding to the excitement, this year’s event will feature the Magnificent 7—seven former DN World Champions who have collectively won 28 DN World Championship titles. This elite group includes two American champions from Michigan and San Diego and five from Poland, including the reigning World Champion, Michał Burczyński.

The Champions’ Roll Call (29 Titles Total):

  • Karol Jabłoński (POL) – 12-time World Champion
  • Ron Sherry (USA) – 5-time World Champion
  • Matt Struble (USA) – 4-time World Champion
  • Michał Burczyński (POL) – 3-time World Champion (and reigning champion)
  • Tomasz Zakrzewski (POL) – 2-time World Champion
  • Łukasz Zakrzewski (POL) – 1-time World Champion
  • Robert Graczyk (POL) – 1-time World Champion
  • Jeff Kent (USA) – 1-time World Champion

27 of the World’s Top 10 Ranked Sailors

The 2025 DN World Championship will showcase intense competition, featuring 27 sailors who have ranked in the top 10 internationally. These rankings reflect years of elite racing experience, and with so many top contenders in the mix, the battle for the title is guaranteed to be fierce. Beyond the veterans, ranked third in the world, Estonian sailor Joonas Kiisler (EST) is a rising star in the DN class. Kiisler secured a third-place finish at last year’s DN Worlds in Estonia. As he continues to climb the ranks, he will challenge the champions and fight for a spot on the podium once again—this time on North American ice.

Three Fleets, One Ultimate Prize

The DN World Championship is divided into three fleets—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—ensuring competitive racing at every level. Silver and Bronze fleet sailors will have their own exciting races, but as a bonus, they’ll get to witness the intense competition in Gold Fleet, where the top-ranked sailors will go head-to-head in pursuit of the championship title.

Wisconsin’s Ice is Ready for the Challenge

The venue has been determined, and Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is set to host the biggest showdown of the season. Ice checkers have confirmed miles of race-ready ice, and the lake has already hosted three major regattas this season.

With over 100 competitors, seven world champions, 28 combined world titles, and 27 top-ranked international sailors, the 2025 DN World Championship is shaping up to be one for the history books.

The countdown is on—see you on the ice!

How to Follow the 2025 DN World Championship

Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage: